PESHAWAR: The National Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control (NASTNC) has called upon the Federal and Provincial Governments of Pakistan to allocate dedicated financial resources for tobacco control initiatives in the upcoming fiscal budget 2026–27, emphasizing that meaningful tobacco control cannot be achieved without sustained investment and strong political commitment. The Alliance stressed that allocating specific funds for tobacco control programs is essential for protecting public health and reducing the growing burden of tobacco-related diseases in the country.
Pakistan is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and has committed to implementing strong policy and regulatory measures to reduce tobacco consumption and protect public health. The country has also developed national strategies and legislative frameworks to guide tobacco control efforts. Despite these commitments, civil society organizations have expressed concern that tobacco control programs remain severely underfunded, particularly at the provincial level where implementation, enforcement, and public awareness activities are carried out.
According to the latest estimates cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) and recent analyses based on the Global Burden of Disease Study, tobacco use continues to impose a major public health burden in Pakistan. Current estimates indicate that around 164,000 people die each year in Pakistan from tobacco-related diseases, which translates to approximately 450 deaths every day. Importantly, a significant proportion of these deaths occur among individuals who do not smoke themselves but are exposed to tobacco smoke. Evidence from global health studies shows that about 31,000 deaths annually in Pakistan are attributable to exposure to second-hand smoke, highlighting the severe impact of tobacco use on non-smokers, particularly women and children.
“The Government of Pakistan has made important commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and these commitments must be reflected in national and provincial budgets,” said Usman Afridi. “Without dedicated financial allocations, tobacco control policies remain weakly implemented, and thousands of lives continue to be lost every year.”
Usman Afridi, Coordinator of the Alliance, further said: “Provincial governments must allocate dedicated budgets for tobacco control if they want to protect communities from the growing harms of tobacco and emerging nicotine products. Strong enforcement, awareness campaigns, and cessation services cannot function without proper funding.”
From Sindh, Ahsan Ali Khoso stressed the urgency of strengthening prevention initiatives. “Pakistan’s commitments under the FCTC require strong implementation at every level. Budget allocations are essential to expand prevention programs, protect youth from nicotine addiction, and ensure effective monitoring and enforcement.”
Representing Balochistan, Behram Lehri highlighted the need for equitable investment across the country. “Tobacco control must become a public health priority across all provinces. Dedicated funding will allow authorities to implement awareness campaigns, strengthen regulation, and reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly among non-smokers.”
The National Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control emphasized that budget allocations are the strongest and most visible indicator of the government’s commitment to tobacco control. The Alliance urged the Federal Ministry of Finance, provincial finance departments, and health authorities to prioritize tobacco and nicotine control programs in the FY 2026–27 budget, ensuring sustainable funding for enforcement, awareness campaigns, research, and cessation services nationwide.
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